Mounting for outboard motor

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved support means for use in supporting an outboard motor on a boat for movement between an outboard operative position and an inboard inoperative position. The improved support means comprises a first frame means having a pair of laterally spaced members which includes means for attaching the laterally spaced frame members to the side edges of a boat. A second frame means is pivotally supported on the first frame means and includes a transverse bar member for supporting a motor. Linkage means is connected between the first frame means and the second frame means for releasably locking the first frame means in either an outboard operative supporting position or in an inboard inoperative supporting position. The linkage system includes a pair of links pivotally connected together to provide an overcenter locking means for maintaining the first frame means in either of the two positions. An abutment means is provided on the first and second frame means for holding the linkage means in either of the two locking positions. A manual operable control handle is connected to the second frame means for assisting in moving a motor supported on the second frame means to the inboard inoperative supporting position.

Emil

Patent [54] MUIUN'HHNG FUR OUTBOARD MOTUR llllarry E. Ezell, 3850 Hillcrest Lane, Mobile, Ala. 36609 [22] Filed: Apr.27,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 32,021

[72] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant Examiner--Carl A. Rutledge Attomey-Newton, Hopkins & Ormsby 1 mass 1 Mar. M9 1972 This invention relates to an improved support means for use in supporting an outboard motor on a boat for movement between an outboard operative position and an inboard inoperative position. The improved support means comprises a first frame means having a pair of laterally spaced members which includes means for attaching the laterally spaced frame members to the side edges of a boat. A second frame means is pivotally supported on the first frame means and includes a transverse bar member for supporting a motor Linkage means is connected between the first frame means and the second frame means for releasably locking the first frame means in either an outboard operative supporting position or in an inboard inoperative supporting position. The linkage system includes a pair of links pivotally connected together to provide an overcenter locking means for maintaining the first frame means in either of the two positions. An abutment means is provided on the first and second frame means for holding the linkage means in either of the two locking positions. A manual operable control handle is connected to the second frame means for assisting in moving a motor supported on the second frame means to the inboard inoperative supporting position.

9 (Ilaims, 3 Drawing; Figures Patented March 14, 1972 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HARRY E Emu.

Z, fla f Patented March 14,, 1972 3,648,645

5 Sheets-Sheet lv Patented March 14, 1972 3,648,645

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PO 2? LL.

M I ngyENToR. HA RR WE [ZELL BY f MOUNTING ron ournoanu MOTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many types of boats are designed to use an outboard type motor to provide propulsion thereto. Such an outboard motor is often mounted in a vertically extending position at or near the stern of the boat. When such outboard motor is not in use, it is desirable to remove the motor from the supported operative position and place the motor in the boat for transport.

In still other types of outboard motor equipped boats, the motor is carried in a normal operating position at the rear end or transom of the boat and ordinarily cannot be moved from this position except by complete removal of the motor. Therefore, when the boat and outboard motor is being loaded on a support vehicle to be transported as on a vehicle drawn trailer, for example, the motor must be boundly detached from the support position and placed within the boat or the motor can be transported in position on the transom of the boat. However, to allow the outboard motor to remain in an operative position on the transom during transport is not desirable since most transoms are not designed to absorb forces imposed during travel of the boat and trailer over roads and highways.

Several attempts have been made to provide a frame means for supporting an outboard motor on a boat whereby the motor can be moved from the outboard mounted position to an inboard transport position. In most of the prior art boat supporting frame means which will allow a motor to be moved from an outboard supporting position to an inboard supporting position, the frame support means were often complex in nature, expensive to manufacture and unreliable in operation. Further, most of the prior art auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor were difficult to mount in position on a boat or created leaks in the boat due to special openings provided therein to accommodate the mounting of the auxiliary frame means.

When an outboard motor is held in an outboard operative supported position, the outboard motor must be locked in position such that undesirable movement of the outboard motor relative to the boat will not occur. The prior art locking means for holding an outboard motor in a desired position on the auxiliary frame means were complex and difficult to operate. Often when it was necessary to move the outboard motor to an inboard transport position some type of special tools were required to release the locking means holding the boat in the outboard operative position.

In moving an outboard motor from an outboard operative supporting position to an inboard inoperative transport position, the prior art devices required an operator to grasp the motor in moving the motor between the two positions. It was difficult to find a good surface on the outboard motors to grasp, especially when the motor was still hot, immediately after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the above disadvantages, among others, are eliminated by the provision of a novel motor handling mechanism which is capable of effecting movement of the motor between its normal operating position and a storage position inboard or within the boat all with a minimum of manual labor and without disturbing the actual potential locational relationship of the motor to the boat. A principle feature of the motor support mechanism of the present invention includes a first frame means which is easily attached to a boat. A second frame means is provided for supporting the motor and the second frame means is pivotally connected to the first frame means. A manual control handle is connected to the first frame means for effecting movement of the first frame means from an outboard motor supporting position to an inboard supporting position. A series of links are connected between the first and second frame means for providing an overcenter locking means to lock the second frame means in the two boat supporting positions. By grasping the manual control handle and releasing the overcenter linkage locking means, the second frame can be swung with the motor very easily into an inboard transport position. Movement of the second frame means to the inboard transport position will move the linkage means to a second overcenter locking position for holding the second frame and motor in the second or transport position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor on a boat whereby the motor can be moved from the outboard operative position into an inboard inoperative position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved auxiliary frame means for supporting a motor in an operative and inoperative position and including a releasable locking means for maintaining the motor in each of the two positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor on a boat wherein the auxiliary frame means includes a linkage system having overcenter locking means for maintaining the supported motor in its two positions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor on a boat wherein the frame means is provided with a manual control handle for moving the supported motor between an outboard operative position and an inboard inoperative position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary frame support means for supporting an outboard motor wherein the outboard motor can be easily attached to and removed from the auxiliary frame means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor whereby the auxiliary frame means is easily attached to a boat for operation thereon.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary frame means for supporting an outboard motor wherein the frame means is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

These and other objects and advantages in the details of construction will become apparent after reading the following description of one illustrated embodiment of the invention with reference to the attached drawings wherein reference characters have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures of drawings and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the auxiliary frame means mounted in position on a boat;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the auxiliary frame means showing the outboard motor supported in an outboard operative position; and,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 showing the outboard motor in an inboard transport or inoperative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to a drawing, the auxiliary outboard motor mounting means will be described with reference to a boat 10, an outboard motor 11 having a conventional mounting mounting bracket 12 and an auxiliary outboard motor support frame means 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary frame means 20 includes a first mounting frame portion having a pair of elongated mounting plates 21, 22 which are provided with a series of openings 23 detailed for receiving conventional connecting elements for connecting the mounting plates to the sides of a boat in a position substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the mounting-plates 21, 22 includes a rearwardly projecting end portion 24, 25 which is detailed to provide a pivotal support means for a second frame means. The second frame means includes a transverse boat mounting bar 26 having a pair of support arms 27, 28 projecting upwardly from opposite ends of the mounting bar 26. Each of the arms 27, 28 includes conventional pivot means 29 for pivotally connecting the arms to the rearwardly projecting end portions 24, of the mounting plates 21, 22. Referring now to FIG. 2, each of the arms 27, 28 include a rearwardly projecting angled portion 30 which includes a forwardly projecting manual control means 51.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, a linkage system is provided for connection between the first frame means and the second frame means for holding the second frame means in either of an outboard operative supporting position or in an inboard inoperative transport position. The linkage system includes a first pair of links 32, 33 which are connected to each of the arms 27, 28, respectively at a point vertically spaced from the arm pivot means 29. The first pair of links 32, 33 extends forwardly and is pivotally connected by a first transverse pivot rod 37 to a second pair of link members 35, 36'. Forwardly projecting ends of a second pair of link members 35, 36 are connected together by a second transverse pivot rod 38 which is supported by a pair of upstanding brackets 39, 40. The pair of support brackets 39, 40 are fixed to the two elongated mounted plates 21, 22, respectively by conventional means such as welding (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, each of the upstanding mounting brackets 39, 40 includes a laterally projecting stop member 41 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1 and 2) but is to be understood that the opposite bracket 40 would also include a laterally projecting stop member similar to the stop member shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

It is pointed out that the linkage system including first pair of links 32, 33 and second pair of links 35, 36 are detailed in pivotal relationship relative to each other and relative to the mounting brackets 39, 40 and support arm 27, 28 such that when the outboard motor is held in an outboard operative position as shown in FIG. 2, each of the links will lie in substantially a common horizontal plane. The linkage system pivot points are located relative to the linkage system such that when the links are in a substantially horizontal plane as 'above described, the first transverse pivot rod 37 will be located at a point slightly below a line drawn through the second transverse pivot rod 38, and the pivotal connection 39 connecting the first pair of links to the upwardly extending arms 27, 28. Also, in this position, each of the second pair of links will be in abutting relationship against the pair of stop members 41, substantially as shown in FIG. 1 and 2. The above described pivotal relationship and support means for the linkage will provide a first overcenter locking system which will prevent the outboard motor supporting frame including arms 27, 28 from being pivoted counterclockwise about the pivot points 29, thus insuring a rigid mounting of the outboard motor in an operative outboard supporting position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the linkage system including first and second pairs of links, are detailed such that when the outboard motor supporting frame is moved to an inboard transport position the second pair of links 35, 36 will be pivoted counterclockwise about the second transverse pivot rod 38 until the second transverse pivot rod contacts the upper edge of the mounting plates 21, 22. In this position, a line drawn through the pivotal axis of the first pivot rod 37 and through the pivot axis 29 will lie substantially below the axis of the second pivot rod 38, thus insuring a second overcenter locking relationship of the outboard motor and support frame in an inboard transport position.

OPERATION In utilizing the auxiliary supporting frame as described hereinabove, the mounting frame is first mounted on a boat by placing each of the mounting plates 21, 22 on outside surfaces of the side of a boat and connecting thereto by passing conventional connecting means through the series of openings 23. The mounting plate 21, 22 should be detailed in location on a supporting boat such that the rearwardly projecting ends 24, 25 of the mounting plates project rearwardly of the rear of the boat a sufficient distance to allow the second outboard motor supporting frame to be moved to an outboard operative position as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the mounting plates should be located substantially even with the top edge of the two sides of boat, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

After the auxiliary outboard motor supporting frame has been secured in a proper place on a boat, and the second frame supporting the outboard motor mounting bar is moved to an outboard operative motor supporting position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional outboard motor 11 is mounted thereon by a conventional outboard motor mounting bracket 20 in substantially the same manner as the outboard motor would be mounted on the rear transom of a conventional boat. It is to be understood that the mounted bar 26 is detailed in dimension as to provide a supporting surface substantially identical to the conventional supporting surface provided on a rear boat transom support member.

After the outboard motor 11 has been secured in place on the supporting bar 26 and the second frame means is held in a position as shown in FIG. 2 with the linkage in the first overcenter locking position, the outboard motor is locked in a substantially rigid position which will permit normal operation of the outboard motor in a conventional manner to propel the boat over the surface of supporting water.

When it is desired to move the outboard motor to an inboard position for transport or for inspection, it is only necessary for an operator to grasp the first transverse pivot rod 37 and lift the pivot rod slightly upward to move the pivot rod from the first overcenter locking position. At the same time the operator will grasp the manual control handle 31 and rotate the first frame means in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2, about the pivot axis 29. The operator will continue the pivotal movement of the second frame means in a counterclockwise direction until the first transverse pivot rod 37 contacts the upper edge of the mounting plates 21, 22. In this position, the linkage system is moved to a second overcenter locking position which will lock the outboard motor in an inboard transport position.

Movement of an outboard motor from the inboard transport position as shown in FIG. 3 to an outboard operative position is accomplished by an operator grasping the first transverse pivot rod 37, lifting the pivot rod 37 upwardly thus rotating the second pair of links 35, 36 clockwise about the second transverse pivot rod 38. In moving the outboard motor to an outboard operative position, the operator will also grasp the manual control handle 31 and continue rotating the second frame means about the transverse pivot axis 29 until the linkage system has reached the first overcenter locking position against the laterally projecting stop elements 31, as described hereinabove.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiment of the invention is capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. Further, it is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended What is claimed is:

1. In an improved support means for use in supporting an outboard motor on a boat for movement between an outboard operative position and an inboard inoperative position, the improvement comprising, in combination; a first frame means, including means detailed for attachment of said frame means to a boat, a second frame means, said second frame means including a support means for mounting an outboard motor thereon, means pivotally supporting said second frame means on said first frame means for pivotal movement between an outboard motor operative supporting position and an inboard motor inoperative supporting position, linkage means operatively connected to said first frame means and said second frame means for releasably holding said second frame means in said two positions and wherein said linkage means includes at least one pair of pivotally connected link members detailed in pivotal connected relationship such that said links and pivots are supported in one overcenter locking position when in said motor outboard operative supporting position and adapted to be moved to a second overcenter locking position in response to movement of said outboard motor to said inboard inoperative supporting position.

2. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said linkage includes abutment means operatively associated therewith for maintaining said linkage in said two overcenter locking positions.

3. In an improved support means as described in claim ll further characterized in that said linkage system includes at least two pivotally connected link members and wherein said two link members are pivotally connected together in such a manner and supported relatively to each other on said first and second frame members whereby the longitudinal axis of each of said links are in substantially parallel relationship relative to each other.

4. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said second frame means motor supporting means is located on one side of the pivotal axis between said first and second frame means and wherein said linkage means is operatively connected to said second frame means on an opposite side from said pivotal axis.

5. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said second frame means is detailed such that said boat supporting means is located below said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means when said outboard motor is in said outboard operative position and wherein said linkage means is connected to said second frame means at a point spaced vertically above said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means.

6. In an improved support means as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said second frame means includes a manual control means for effecting movement of said second frame means between said outboard motor operative supporting position and said inboard :motor inoperative sup porting position.

7. In an improved support means as described in claim ll, further characterized in that said first means includes at least two laterally spaced elongated support members which are adapted to be connected to opposite side edges of a boat and therein said second frame means includes a transversely oriented support bar which provides said motor supporting means, said transverse support bar having fixed thereto and extending upwardly therefrom a pair of connecting elements, said pivotal connection between said first frame means and said second frame means being located in a rearwardly extended end of each of said first frame means laterally spaced members and in said second frame means upwardly projecting elements at a point spaced from said boat supporting bar.

8. In an improved support means as described in claim 7, further characterized in that said second frame means upwardly extending elements includes projected end portions which project above said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means and wherein said linkage is pivotally connected between said extended end of said elements and between said first frame means.

9. In an improved support means as described in claim 3, further characterized in that said linkage means includes at least two pairs of pivotally connected links and wherein one of said pairs is pivotally connected between said first frame means and one of said upwardly projecting extended ends of said elements on said second frame means and wherein said second pair of pivot links is connected between said first frame means and between said second upwardly extended end of said second element. 

1. In an improved support means for use in supporting an outboard motor on a boat for movement between an outboard operative position and an inboard inoperative position, the improvement comprising, in combination; a first frame means, including means detailed for attachment of said frame means to a boat, a second frame means, said second frame means including a support means for mounting an outboard motor thereon, means pivotally supporting said second frame means on said first frame means for pivotal movement between an outboard motor operative supporting position and an inboard motor inoperative supporting position, linkage means operatively connected to said first frame means and said second frame means for releasably holding said second frame means in said two positions and wherein said linkage means includes at least one pair of pivotally connected link members detailed in pivotal connected relationship such that said links and pivots are supported in one overcenter locking position when in said motor outboard operative supporting position and adapted to be moved to a second overcenter locking position in response to movement of said outboard motor to said inboard inoperative supporting position.
 2. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said linkage includes abutment means operatively associated therewith for maintaining said linkage in said two overcenter locking positions.
 3. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said linkage system includes at least two pivotally connected link members and wherein said two link members are pivotally connected together in such a manner and supported relatively to each other on said first and second frame members whereby the longitudinal axis of each of said links are in substantially parallel relationship relative to each other.
 4. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said second frame means motor supporting means is located on one side of the pivotal axis between said first and second frame means and wherein said linkage means is operatively connected to said second frame means on an opposite side from said pivotal axis.
 5. In an improved support means as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said second frame means is detailed such that said boat supporting means is located below said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means when said outboard motor is in said outboard operative position and wherein said linkage means is connected to said second frame means at a point spaced vertically above said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means.
 6. In an improved support means as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said second frame means includes a manual control means for effecting movement of said second frame means between said outboard motor operative supporting position and said inboard motor inoperative supporting position.
 7. In an improved support means as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said first means includes at least two laterally spaced elongated support members which are adapted to be connected to opposite side edges of a boat and therein said second frame means includes a transversely oriented support bar which provides said motor supporting means, said transverse support bar having fixed thereto and extending upwardly therefrom a pair of connecting elements, said pivotal connection between said first frame means and said second frame means being located in a rearwardly extended end of each of said first frame means laterally spaced members and in said second frame means upwardly projecting elements at a point spaced from said boat supporting bar.
 8. In an improved support means as described in claim 7, further characterized in that said second frame means upwardly extending elements includes projected end portions which project above said pivotal connection between said first and second frame means and wherein said linkage is pivotally connected between said extended end of said elements and between said first frame means.
 9. In an improved support means as described in claim 8, further characterized in that said linkage means includes at least two pairs of pivotally connected links and wherein one of said pairs is pivotally connected between said first frame means and one of said upwardly projecting extended ends of said elements on said second frame means and wherein said second pair of pivot links is connected between said first frame means and between said second upwardly extended end of said second element. 